Winter Festivals in Korea: Dates, Costs and Tips
Winter festivals in Korea run from late November to early February. VisitKorea lists the Hwacheon ice fishing festival for January 9 to 31, 2027, while city light shows such as Seoul's Lantern Festival and Busan's Haeundae Light Festival usually start between late November and mid-December. Confirm exact 2026 to 2027 dates with each organizer.
- Season
- Late November to early February
- City lights
- Seoul Cheonggyecheon and Busan Haeundae
- Ice and snow
- Hwacheon, Pyeongchang, Taebaek (Gangwon)
- Official site
- VisitKorea winter festival guide
What should I know before I go?
Dates and fees checked November 2, 2026
Festival dates move every year, so treat any date you read, including those here, as a planning guide until the organizer confirms it. VisitKorea says its festival dates and schedules are subject to change, and its winter guide was last updated in November 2025, so it still shows the 2025 to 2026 season for most events (VisitKorea winter guide).
- Worth knowing: The Korea Travel Helpline (1330, or +82-2-1330 from abroad) offers support in several languages including English.
- A common mistake: Booking flights around one date. The Seoul Lantern Festival ran December 12, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in the latest official list, yet an older VisitKorea page describes it as a November event.
- Safety note: At any frozen-river site, follow staff instructions and stay within the marked areas.
- Local tip: Most evening displays run from 18:00 to 23:00, so dress in layers and wear shoes with grip for icy paths.
Which winter festival suits me?
Pick light festivals for easy evenings in Seoul or Busan, and ice fishing or snow festivals if you can spare a full day in Gangwon Province. VisitKorea groups the season into light festivals, New Year sunrise festivals, and ice and snow festivals.
- Short city stay, evenings free: the Seoul Lantern Festival along Cheonggyecheon, with illuminated art and interactive experiences.
- Busan itinerary: the Haeundae Light Festival around the beach and Gunam-ro Haeundae Square, free to enter in 2025 to 2026.
- Active day out: the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival, with trout ice fishing, bare-handed catches and ice sledding.
- Sunrise on January 1: Jeongdongjin (Gangneung), Homigot (Pohang) and Hyangiram (Yeosu) held sunrise events from December 31, 2025 to January 1, 2026; Homigot draws over 2 million visitors a year, so expect heavy crowds.
Taebaek's snow festival is the fifth major option: its 33rd edition ran from January 31 to February 8, 2026 and is known for large snow sculptures with a new theme each year, so it suits travellers visiting in early February. Most Gangwon events are far from the capital, so treat them as full-day outings rather than quick evening stops, and check the return bus or train time before you settle in.
Practical example: a visitor staying in Seoul for five days in January could spend two weeknight evenings at the Cheonggyecheon lights and one full day on a Hwacheon trip, leaving the weekend for sightseeing. See our 5-day winter itinerary for a full plan.
What are the dates and costs?
Light festivals start from late November and ice festivals open in January, with the latest confirmed dates from the 2025 to 2026 season and a few 2027 dates still pending. Use the table as a guide and verify with the organizer before booking.
| Festival | Place | Latest listed dates | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haeundae Light Festival | Busan | Nov 29, 2025 to Jan 18, 2026 (12th edition) | Free in 2025 to 2026 |
| Seoul Lantern Festival | Cheonggyecheon, Seoul | Dec 12, 2025 to Jan 18, 2026; a travel blog reports Dec 11, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027 (unconfirmed) | Not stated by VisitKorea |
| Pyeongchang Trout Festival | Pyeongchang, Gangwon | Jan 1 to Feb 2, 2026 | About 10,000 to 15,000 won reported by travel sites |
| Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival | Hwacheon, Gangwon | Listed Jan 9 to 31, 2027 (2026: Jan 10 to Feb 1) | Paid; VisitKorea gives no price |
| Taebaeksan Mountain Snow Festival | Taebaek, Gangwon | Jan 31 to Feb 8, 2026 | Check the organizer |
For Hwacheon, VisitKorea lists a 2027 event period of January 9 to 31, notes that its details come from the 2026 festival, and shows opening hours of 09:00 to 18:00 with night fishing from 18:00 to 21:00. The official festival site still showed the 2026 programme when checked, so expect dates and fees to be announced later. A travel site puts the Pyeongchang event at January 9 to February 9, 2027 but marks it as dates to be announced.
How do I plan a festival day trip?
Confirm the dates, book transport early, and plan to arrive by mid-morning so you can see the daytime activities and the evening lights.
- Check the dates. Open the organizer's page and VisitKorea, or call the 1330 helpline.
- Choose your transport. Travel sites describe about 2 hours from Seoul to Hwacheon by express bus and about 1 hour 40 minutes to Pyeongchang's Jinbu Station by KTX, with shuttles at the site; verify schedules with the operators.
- Pack for the cold. Thermal layers, gloves and waterproof boots matter more than a heavy coat. Our Korea in December guide covers temperatures and clothing.
- Bring a payment backup. Small food stalls can be cash-friendly; see cash or card in Korea.
- Allow for crowds. Weekends and New Year's Eve are busiest, so aim for weekdays where possible.
FAQ
When is the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival in 2027?
VisitKorea lists an event period of January 9 to 31, 2027, but says 2027 details will be updated later. The 2026 festival ran January 10 to February 1, so confirm the dates on the official festival site.
Are winter festivals in Korea free?
Light festivals such as the Haeundae Light Festival were free in 2025 to 2026, while ice fishing festivals charge for entry and activities. VisitKorea lists Hwacheon as paid without a price, so check the organizer.
Can I reach Korea's winter festivals without a car?
Yes for the main ones. Seoul's lantern display is on Cheonggyecheon in the city, Busan's Haeundae lights are on the beach, and Hwacheon and Pyeongchang are reachable by intercity bus or KTX plus shuttle, though journeys take about 2 hours.
What is the best winter festival for first-time visitors?
For a city trip, the Seoul Lantern Festival or Haeundae Light Festival is easiest. For a snow and ice experience, choose Hwacheon or Pyeongchang and plan a full day out of Seoul.
Official sources and useful links
Links open in a new tab. Dates and fees above were checked on November 2, 2026; verify on these pages.
- VisitKorea: Korea's 2025 to 2026 winter festivals official list of light, sunrise, ice and snow festivals
- VisitKorea: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival listed 2027 period, hours and contact
- Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival official site programme and announcements from the organizer
- Busan City: Haeundae Light Festival dates, hours and venue of the 12th edition
- VisitKorea (Korea Tourism Organization) official tourism information in English
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